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The 2012 Blockys: Honoring the best and oddest in college volleyball

Ten days since the season ended, and the college men’s volleyball withdrawal has set in.

In an effort to battle this withdrawal and help to put a wrap on the season that was, Off the Block is introducing the Blockys. The Blockys are Off the Block editor Vinnie Lopes’ awards recognizing the good, the bad, the goofy and the odd in college volleyball.

More than 100 Blockys were awarded this year in seven categories: social media, media, players, coaches, arena and crowds, matches and miscellaneous. Check out the inaugural 2012 Blocky winners.

MATCH AND GAME AWARDSMatch of the year: BYU vs. UCLA, April 6 — and April 7Postseason match of the year: UC Irvine vs. USC, NCAA championship matchConference tournament match of the year: Ohio State vs. Lewis, MIVA Tournament championship matchNon-conference match of the year: Ohio State vs. Stanford, Jan. 28Game of the year: UC Irvine vs. USC game two, NCAA championship matchOvertime game of the year: BYU vs. UCLA game five, April 6 — and April 7Postseason overtime game of the year: BYU vs. Stanford game four, MPSF Tournament semifinalsRegular season overtime game of the year excluding servegate: Ball State vs. Lewis game one, Feb. 8Upset of the year: Harvard defeating Cal State Northridge, March 10Co-conference upset of the year: IPFW defeating Lewis, Feb. 4; UC San Diego defeating UCLA, March 30Best near-upset of the year: Penn State vs. Princeton, March 30Comeback of the Year: UC Irvine beats Stanford in five games, MPSF Tournament championshipRegular season comeback of the year: UC Santa Barbara beats BYU in five games, Feb. 25Best match no one saw: Penn State vs. Princeton, March 30

MISCELLANEOUSFeel good moment of the year: Springfield College winning the Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic for the first time in its program historyNice but awkward moment of the year: Al Scates being presented with a USC jersey at USC in honor of his retirementBiggest controversy of the year: Servegate, BYU and UCLASecond biggest controveersy of the year: Headset gate, BYU and USCBest volleyball family feud renewed: McGown vs. ScatesBest ranking system: The NCAA TournamentWorst ranking system: The Off the Block Relative Strength Factor (OK, I’ll admit I need to work the formula)Best magician award: Quentin Smith, BYUMost celebratory player: Larry Wrather, Ball StateMost awkward celebration: Larry Wrather doing the All-State Discount Double Check in a loss against IPFWScariest moment during a nationally televised match: Players leaving the court because a tornado warning was issued, Ohio State and LoyolaMost discussed injury this year: Taylor Sander’s hand injury, BYUBest performance for a player with a hand towel hanging from his shorts during a match: Jay Petty, LewisBest performance by a volleyball player on a U.S. citizenship test: Futi Tavana, BYUBest player’s mustache or facial hair:Matt Rogers, ParkTeam with best mustaches: UCLA